Chapter Text
"Aaand this is my room, where you will stand guard so long as I am inside and the sun is still in the sky, then the night guard shall take over and give you reprieve," Ren concluded the tour.
False nodded, taking mental notes of where they would be spending most of their time together. Or rather- where she would be trailing behind the prince as he went about his daily duties. So long as he improved at being where he needed to be, and telling people where he was going when he wasn't, her hours would be lessened and she wouldn't have to watch him all hours of the day, but… she wasn't holding out for that sort of improvement with how much he mentioned going to the tavern.
She simply hoped Gem would be able to think quick on her feet when the prince would inevitably ask where the tavern maid he was so taken with ended up. …And that Ren never asked to see her face, or found out about her wings- it was a bit of a precarious position she had put herself in, she was now realizing.
She'd just have to wait out his fascination over her, then hopefully he would mellow out, and she could relax more about letting him get to know her. He was very persistent with his questions, but her attempts of reminding him that he wasn't meant to pay her any attention were ignored, soothed with a simple, "But I am so booored, Dame Symmetry." Knowing he wasn't going to cease his efforts, she had remained vigilant in turning the too-revealing questions back on him or straight-up refusing to answer, just as she did the first night they met. That didn't mean he stopped trying though.
"Fine, if you will not tell me where you are from-"
"I told you, I am from Dogmoon," she interrupted, only for him to whine. "I am not telling you my address," she supplied incredulously, not knowing what more he could want. …And completely ignoring the fact she didn't have one to give him.
"Or about your family-" False winced at that, and was thankful that he did know when to let certain topics go. "Then please tell me: where did you train?" he prodded as they walked through the long winding halls of the castle with only the occasional alcove or window to signal to False that they hadn't just been going in circles. "I have never seen someone fight as you do, it is truly a marvel," he warmly praised.
False was just thankful he didn't connect the dots that she fought the same as she did the other night against those villagers. She would have to use a different response than the one she gave the other night, though. He seemed dense, but he wasn't stupid.
"I… I must admit I have no formal training," she confessed, and was thankful that Ren was in front of her and couldn't read her body language as they continued walking. "I simply… study people. I learn what I might be able to use against them."
Ren raised an eyebrow at that, and she almost hated that she was so honest as he then teased, "Have you studied me, my lady- er, Dame?" he clumsily corrected himself, glancing back at her with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
She bit back her smile, even though there was no need for it. "A bit, in the little time I have had with you," she simply replied.
"And what have you learned?" he continued to poke and prod, and slowed so that they were now walking side-by-side. Even when False slowed as well to keep their distance, he simply threw an arm around her shoulder as he suggested, "That I am so charming and handsome? A master of wits? The best ruler Dogmoon shall ever have once I take the throne?"
She rolled her eyes and scoffed with a grin as she ducked away from his arm, and stood a few feet away from them as they slowly walked. It got a good chuckle out of Ren, but he was caught off-guard when she genuinely replied, "You are very laid-back, with little sense of urgency. Whether it is because you feel safe here, or that is just your nature, I am not sure—but if it is the latter, then I also feel that my protection of you is sorely needed."
Ren wilted at her commentary immediately, though it turned to an incredulous scowl when she finished. "You got all of that from me in less than a day?!" he questioned with pained fervor.
She shrugged, and tried not to seem too cheeky as she replied, "I told you. I study what I may be able to use against someone."
He playfully scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Would you not like to study some of my nicer qualities, as well? I do not mean to brag, but I feel I have many that may pique your interest."
She softly laughed, and hated how correct he was in calling himself charming. I suppose playing to his ego a little won't hurt, especially if it gets the focus off of me, she thought to herself. "You seem fairly good with people, and you can talk yourself out of any situation, or least lessen the harm with your words and jests." Granted, she knew most of that from his attempts to talk down those villagers who nearly kidnapped him and Pearl, but she figured she could excuse her knowledge of his ability from how he conversed with his family at the tournament. "It is a rare skill, though I am sure you are aware of the power it may possess," she supplied, and his warm, prideful smile, and adorable wagging tail made it all worth it.
She startled when he put his arm around her shoulder once more, and nudged his head against her helmet as he praised, "Oh, I think we shall get along splendidly, Dame Symmetry! We shall be great friends in no time!"
She stumbled once he let her go, and tried to gain her balance back as he simply watched her and laughed amusedly. She did not take him to be one to laugh at others or find amusement in light cruelty, but she supposed she still had much to learn about him. She let out a gruff little noise at his teasing, and bit back a wince as her wings fluffed up in irritation. "We are not meant to be friends, your Highness," she eloquently replied. "This is simply busin-"
Unfortunately, the prince didn't seem to be paying attention to her anymore as he set his sights on the kitchen. She had heard his grumbles to Pearl earlier about how this was his last day of punishment of not being allowed desserts, but he seemed high-strung, like he couldn't last the mere few hours it would take for him to be given them once more. She felt like she had given him too much praise when he dumbly pointed behind her, and shouted, "What is that?"
False rolled her eyes as she slowly turned and played along. To no one's surprise, he was gone by the time she turned back. She wasn't worried, though, as she could see him keeping low to the floor as he meandered through the kitchen, trying to avoid the wandering eyes of the chefs and cooks and steal the plate of jelly tarts on the table of prepared food.
Cruelly, False simply saw it as a moment of reprieve for herself. If anyone came, she could at least supply them with the knowledge of where the prince was, which was her main duty, so she felt like she was still doing her job.
She still felt a pang of anxiety run through her when the princess wandered down the hall, and perked up at the sight of False standing alone. The girl approached her, and had her suspicions answered when she peeked into the kitchen entrance and saw Ren hiding behind a counter.
"Are you not meant to be trailing him wherever he goes?" Pearl still questioned, a little teasing smile on her face.
False shrugged and rolled her eyes. "I can see him past the corner. And truly, if the prince dies to the chef while trying to steal jelly tarts, he was never going to make it anyway," she groaned out. She was quiet for a moment, before she winced and added on in a hushed tone, "Please do not tell your parents I said that- oh my goodness, they will have my head-"
Pearl erupted into a fit of giggles, before she reassured the knight, "No, no, you need not worry. I promise you- they would just laugh and agree." False let out a sigh of relief at that, and wondered in the back of her mind how working directly for the royal family had given her the most relaxed job she'd ever had.
False grew wary of how Pearl eyed her for a moment longer, and tried not to shift too much under her gaze. "But… you already knew my brother was a bit of a trouble-maker, didn't you, Dame Symmetry?" she questioned oddly.
Her eyes went wide as her heart skipped a beat. How does she know- I thought I was hiding it so well- She is going to think I am stalking him-
"I- I do not know what you mean, your Majesty," False tried to save herself.
Pearl just chuckled before she explained, making sure to keep her voice low enough that Ren wouldn't hear, "I recognized it in how you fought. You are quick to learn an opponent's weaknesses and use it against them. It is a unique skill, I must praise you for that." She tilted her head in curiosity before she continued to question, "Though I must ask, why are you here? Were you not working at the tavern?"
False grimaced at the question, and thought of how to carefully word her response. "I… I do not want you to feel guilty for this," she prefaced, "but I was fired for taking out those villagers who attacked you and the prince. The owner apparently did not care that they attempted to kidnap royalty. Paying customers are paying customers."
She hated how ashamed Pearl looked of herself, and wished she came up with a lie that would have erased the fault from her and her brother. "I am so sorry, False. I truly- I wish I could have done more. I just… I froze up, and I had never been drunk before. I did not know what to do-"
"Easy, your Highness," False comforted her. "What person would know what to do in that situation? I am just grateful neither of you got hurt… or worse."
Pearl swallowed, and managed a little nod as her racing heart slowed down. She perked up with a little smile, and praised, "You certainly knew what to do. I am endlessly grateful to have had you there that night, even if I had to sit through watching my brother lamely flirt with you and hear him wax on and on about you afterwards. Why- I had to convince him that holding a court session to start a search for your identity was a terrible use of our resources, -no offense."
She softly laughed, and reassured her, "No offense taken," before she let her continue rambling.
"I mean- he is convinced there is no one else who will ever steal his heart the way you did, and I swear he is still coming up with a plan to change the laws to allow himself to marry a commoner- it was a long night. I simply wished I had more of Gem's alcohol so I would not have had to listen to it all." False was thankful for her helmet hiding her blushing cheeks, and tried not to look too pleased at the idea of the prince being so earnestly taken with her.
She sheepishly glanced off to the side as she replied, "I am honored that he thinks so highly of me, but…" She chewed her lip, thinking of what fun she had dancing with him. For as naive as he seemed… she had a good time with him, she couldn't deny that. …She had a job to do now, though. Whatever feelings she had- used to have- she had to put them aside and focus on her position.
"I am not queenly material," she softly responded, forcing a little smile that was more for herself than Pearl. "It is a nice thought, but… let us just hope that he soon forgets about his evening with me and moves on."
Pearl grimaced, and earnestly replied, "Do not cut yourself so short." She insisted with a gentle grin, "I have seen your character. I see how you carry yourself and where your morals lie. You are strong and quick-witted, yet humble and willing to hear others out. You are incredibly capable of taking care of yourself and others if the other night, or your new position, are anything to go by. I would say those are wonderful characteristics for a queen to possess."
False couldn't help but smile and blush a bit more. She could almost see it for herself. Her, dressed up in a beautiful gown, wearing a golden crown that matched Ren's, and making decisions that would impact their entire kingdom. She would never want for anything- other than a break from all of her duties, but would that not be a blessing to have such a beautiful life, that taking care of others from her gilded castle would be all she needed respite from?
…It was a lovely dream, but… that's all it was. A silly dream.
"Thank you for saying so," she repeated herself from earlier. "But… I am content with what I have now." Pearl gently smiled, and gave a little nod, knowing she should let it go.
"Well, then I must say again," Pearl took her hands, and thanked her genuinely, "thank you for saving us that night. We are very lucky to now have you on our staff to watch over us. I know I am technically not under your care, but-"
"I would risk my life for either of you, Princess," False soothed her worries. "It is my duty now.
Pearl sweetly smiled at her, before her brows furrowed in worry. "If I may, False?" she hesitantly asked, before False immediately nodded. Pearl let go of her hands, and nervously looked over False's shoulder, her hand hovering over it. "Being there for us in the way we require does not just mean risking your life. You must also take care of yourself." Worry pained through False as she realized what the princess was getting at, but she continued before False could lie and reassure her. "How are your wings in that armor? That must be crushing them. I know we have custom armor for different hybrids—have they not offered it to you yet?"
False stiffened as she tried to think of a response, and hated that nothing clever came to her. She would just have to… tell her the truth, lame as it was. "If… If I am honest, your Majesty…" Pearl nodded, encouraging her to continue. "I… did not want your brother to recognize me." Pearl's brows furrowed once more, not liking her answer. "I figured I could get away with my voice, but… my wings are quite distinct. How many eagle avians do you see around?" she asked, hoping Pearl would understand.
Pearl chewed on her lip as she wracked her brain for a reason that False shouldn't do it, but her mind came up empty. "My brother is dense, but… you are correct. I can only name one other eagle hybrid I have ever seen- er, sort of, anyway- and she lives in another kingdom. He likely would have recognized you based off of that—I suppose it is fair, but…" she still insisted, "False, that cannot be good for your wings. So what if he recognizes you? I think he will be thrilled!"
False let out a pained noise, and argued back in a hushed tone, "I think he will be strange about it! You said it yourself! He was waxing on and on about the avian woman he met at the tavern, trying to hold hunts to find her—what shall he do when he realizes I am her, and I am meant to be by his side everyday?!"
Pearl grumbled and pouted, "Stupid Ren and his stupid desires," getting a little laugh of relief out False. Pearl sobered up, and stared earnestly back at False as she insisted once more, "Still though, maybe just give him time to know this version of you, and then reveal your wings? Maybe he will not recognize you! He might be dumber than I thought! But honestly, False, this cannot be healthy for them."
False knew the princess meant well. She knew she made a good point! The armor she chose may have given her more room in the back for them, but they still bent at an awkward angle and were incredibly sore. She couldn't do this for much longer without permanently damaging them—certainly not for however long she planned to work for the prince, which was presumably the rest of her life. Was hiding her identity from the prince really worth hurting such an important part of herself?
…She didn't know the answer. She hated that most of all.
"I…" she finally replied to Pearl, "I shall consider it, your Majesty."
Pearl didn't seem wholly satisfied with her answer, but figured it would at least make False think about it more. False nervously chewed her lip, and wondered if she was worrying too much, but then the words were already out of her mouth. "I hope you will understand, but… would you mind not mentioning my identity to your brother?"
The princess nodded immediately, but before relief could wash over False, a mischievous smirk wandered onto her lips. "I shall… if you will do something for me in return," she teasingly replied.
False was honestly caught off-guard. She'd never seen the princess act so… cunning. "I… I shall do my best?" she tried to confidently reply, though she worried about what the request was going to be.
Pearl leaned in a bit closer, and asked, "The next time my brother goes into town, looking for his mysterious tavern maid, I should like to come with so I may see my own. If my parents know you are escorting us, I believe they will be more lenient as to let me tag along."
False bit back a groan, but still rolled her eyes, knowing she was safe in that regard. "…Deal," she resolved, and despite her reservations, Pearl's cry of excitement made it all worth it.
"Yes! Thank you! I shall be on my best behavior, I swear it to you!" she proclaimed, before the knight shushed her. She settled when she remembered that their nightly escapades were meant to be more secretive, and whispered, "Alert me the next time he wishes to go out then, and I will ask for no more favors in return of keeping your secret." False let out a sigh of relief and knowing the princess wouldn't hold this over her head for more requests, and figured one night of watching both royals would be a fair trade-off in return of keeping her position.
"I will let you know when," False kindly resolved. The princess giddily smiled back at her, before she rushed off to her room. False softly chuckled as a wave of calm washed over her. She supposed she was lucky that the prince and princess had not switched who they were interested in, otherwise her job would have suddenly become much more precarious with her ward knowing her identity.
She stiffened up when she remembered she had a job she was meant to be doing, and grew worried at not having heard Ren in a while. Maybe he grew tired of sneaking through the kitchen and wandered off?
She turned the corner to peer into the kitchen, only for someone to slam into her. She shoved them back as she tried to gain her bearings, but the assailant was quick to grab her hand and drag her behind them. It took her a second to realize the person who ran into her was none other than the prince she was meant to be watching, and apparently hadn't done her job very well as she finally heard the chef cursing the prince's name as they followed the pair.
Ren dragged her around another corner, then found a random closet door. He quickly shoved the knight inside, then threw one of the pastries he stole down the hall as a distraction, and finally shut the door when the chef was looking for where they turned in a panic, confused by the noise of the pastry.
Ren softly panted as he leaned back against the stone brick wall, and smiled at False like they had just committed some great heist together. He laughed in success, and practically moaned as he shoved one of the pastries into his mouth with his tail wagging excitedly behind him. False stared back at him incredulously, or- as best as she could with it being so dark in the little room. The only light they had was that from under the door and near the edges, just enough for her to make out his figure.
He didn't even slow down on his snacking after he swallowed down the first one, as he started on his second jelly tart.
She crossed her arms as she leaned back against the wall to have some space from him. "May I ask what that was about?"
Ren chuckled, and still kept his voice low as he explained, "I simply could not wait until this evening to have them. And that pastry chef has it out for me! They take pleasure in denying me of what I want!"
False rolled her eyes with a little smile, and couldn't help but tease, "And how dare anyone denies the prince of what he desires!" She knew she was being too honest and that wasn't part of her job, but after her discussion with Pearl, she had this lingering animosity towards him that she couldn't stamp down. That is why you were so taken with me, was it not? You desire what you cannot have. You take pleasure in the chase more than the reward.
"Exactly!" he cried back, then laughed at himself and her jest. "Ah, you always know just what to say, Dame Symmetry," he praised, though False sensed there was some joke hidden in it as she had spent a good amount of time bullying him in the few hours he'd been touring her around. It was not like he did not want it, she mentally argued with herself. Truthfully, he usually set it up so he would be the fool of the joke, and he seemed to take pride in making others laugh, even if it was at his own expense.
For as much as she put her people-watching skills to use already, she had to admit, she knew she didn't have him fully figured out yet. He had turned out to be much more complex than she initially thought he would be.
He rummaged through his pile of pastries after he finished the third one, but instead of shoving it into his mouth, he offered it to her. "A pastry? For the trouble I have caused you already?" he lightly teased with a smirk.
Complex, indeed.
She nodded, and returned the gesture with a small, "Thank you," before she lifted her helmet to nibble at the treat. Despite the strange circumstances, she was at least grateful that they were in a dark room where he could not pry a look at her face, even with her helmet still covering the upper-half. Like usual, though, he still made an attempt for more.
"You do not have to wear your helmet when it is just the two of us, you know," he gently mentioned to her like she didn't know the fact. "I certainly doubt anyone will attack us in here."
False was quick to respond though, and shot back playfully, "Ah, you never know. That pastry chef could be anywhere by now."
He chuckled at her joke, but grew a bit more serious as he insisted, "Truly, though, I assumed you were just shy in the arena. I promise I shall not judge you for however you look. I would just like to better know the person who will be trailing me for the rest of my days- or yours- whichever of us is buried first."
She softly laughed at his fumble as she continued eating the pastry, before she simply replied, "I feel it is best if I do not, your Highness."
He quirked his head to the side, and asked in return, "But why?" She could hear his tail faintly wagging, and there it was again, him getting intrigued by what he could not know. She felt that he knew he was pushing too much and where to stop, but still, it was nerve-wracking for her to weigh her options in response.
"I… am merely your silent protector," she responded plainly. "I am meant to follow behind you, not be at your side. I am meant to be quiet, not converse with you. I am meant to remain faceless, so you will not get attached to me. Should I perish, I will simply be replaced. That is my role. That is all I should be to you."
Ren frowned. Even in the darkness, with only a hint of light for her vision, she could tell. His tail went still at his side, and he glumly started chewing on another pastry. False took another bite of hers, and was unsure of how to fill the awkward silence now left in the wake of their conversation. This was how it was meant to be though. They weren't meant to be friends.
"I do not think anyone could ever replace you, Symmetry," he softly replied, finally breaking the awkward silence.
False rolled her eyes with a quiet scoff. "You have known me for only a few hours," she gently argued back.
"And I already know you are not as terrible or boring as I feared my knight would be," he warmly replied. "I might even declare that I am enjoying your company. I did not have to bring you in here with me, but I did," he teased, his voice growing sweeter like the jelly tarts still piled in his arms.
False bit back a noise of contempt. "This is precisely why I cannot show you my face. You are not meant to get attached. It puts both of us in danger," she retorted, getting a bit frustrated with how constantly frivolous he was about things.
False already wasn't sure what to do with any of his feelings, but then he added, "I am merely pointing out that if we are to spend eternity together," he jested and got another eye roll from her at the exaggeration, "I am simply pleased that you are pleasant to be around, even if you do put in effort to not be known. I feel I am getting closer to you with the bit of time we have spent together, and I feel we will have a great deal of fun together, even if you pretend you hate it."
False's eyes shifted as she met his in the dark. He was making it so hard to keep herself distant from him. Did he sway over everyone like this, or was she truly so special as to catch his eye twice, to the point he was acting so sweet in his devotions to her-
…Another chase, False had to remind herself. He is just a charmer. You will see him do this to someone else, and you will realize the hard way. Do not dream of what you cannot attain. Despite her own warning, she couldn't stop her cheeks from blushing, and distracted herself by finishing off her pastry.
"…Thank you," she softly replied, before she lowered her helmet once more. Ren grinned as he heard her reply, and False could pick out the noise of his tail wagging once more as it brushed against the cobblestone wall. She supposed he understood he wouldn't be getting much more information out of her for the day, and that it was time to go about their duties.
Ren hesitantly cracked open the door and peeked out into the hallway. False pressed back as far as she could into the wall as he leaned in closer by her to see out of the opening. He didn't even seem surprised by their proximity as he turned and whispered, nearly in her face, "I think we are in the clear."
False managed a little nod, and let out a sigh of relief as he opened the door wider, and gestured for her to go first. "After you!" he eloquently offered. False let a little smile slip as she nodded, and stood in the hallway while he shut the closet door behind him.
"I was always in the clear," False jokingly pointed out. "I could have left anytime I wanted."
Ren gawked in offense at her, before he shot back, "No, Dame Symmetry! You are now my accomplice!" She crossed her arms, unbelieving of him until he mentioned, "You had a pastry as well! That also makes you liable for my crime."
She rolled her eyes, and took her position behind him as he started walking back to his room. "I suppose you shall be getting a replacement in no time, then," she teased, though Ren only wilted at her comment.
"…I shall take the fall completely, then," he morosely, yet playfully, argued back. False's heart flipped at how quickly he changed his attitude at the mention of her being replaced. …Maybe he really does like me- as his knight, of course!
"As it should be," she quipped with a smirk, and noticed how he perked up a bit at her continuing to tease him.
He grinned as he passed her another pastry, and dutifully kept his eyes forward as he continued walking on towards his room, where she assumed he would scarf down the rest of the treats until he was sick of them. She supposed the chef was smart in ceasing their chase of him, as Ren seemed like he was going to punish himself enough with the stomach ache he'd earn from trying to eat them all.
She allowed herself to smile as she raised her helmet to eat the jelly tart, and despite her own muddled feelings about everything, she now felt her and the prince were at a greater understanding of each other, and how they would work together. She likely wouldn't be the silent protector she so stoically planned to be—not if Ren's constantly running mouth had anything to say about it, which he would, of course—but he knew where her boundaries lay and when to stop pushing.
They could make this work. He would eventually tire of the chase and learn her place was behind him rather than at his side, and she would let her racing heart temper out whenever he so much as smiled at her in that way he always did.
Everything is as it should be.